Beginner’s SETUP GUIDE for NANOSTATION-M2 as receiver

This guide is primarily intended for mobile users (boaters, campers and truckers) who often change access points. Fixed users can also use it, although there might be other more suitable
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This guide is primarily intended for mobile users (boaters, campers and truckers) who often change access points. Fixed users can also use it, although there might be other more suitable configurations for them. Make sure the Nanostation-M2 (Nano for short) “Main” LAN socket is connected to your computer’s network card with network cables, via the POE power injector (for a 12VDC power source, use a passive power injector rather than the AC one normally supplied). There should then be at least one LED lit on the back of the Nanostation. On the original Nanostation shipping box, find and write down the default IP address (we assume:192.168.1.20), the user name and password (should both be “ubnt”). Do not loose this information!

Transcript

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Page 1Beginner’s SETUP GUIDE for NANOSTATION-M2 as receiverand other Ubiquity airMAX devices using AirOS firmware v5 (Windows/MacOS)This guide is primarily intended for mobile users (boaters, campers and truckers) who oftenchange access points. Fixed users can also use it, although there might be other more suitableconfigurations for them.Make sure the Nanostation-M2 (Nano for short) “Main” LAN socket is connected to yourcomputer’s network card with network cables, via the POE power injector (for a 12VDC powersource, use a passive power injector rather than the AC one normally supplied). There should thenbe at least one LED lit on the back of the Nanostation. On the original Nanostation shipping box,find and write down the default IP address (we assume:192.168.1.20), the user name and password(should both be “ubnt”). Do not loose this information!1) Set your computer to communicate with Nano (only done once)1a) Windows1b) Mac OS X2) Program Nano as receiver (station) and router (only done once)3) Choose and connect to a WIFI signal (done to find a new access point)Windows XP• Open Start/ Control panel/ Network Connections.• Or in Classic Start menu: Start/ Settings/ Control panel/ Network Connections.Windows Vista• Open Start, right-click on Network and then Properties (or Start/Control Panel).• Double click Network and Sharing Center, click Manage network connections.Network Connections window will appear:Windows 7• Open the Start orb, click on Control Panel,• Click View Network Status and Tasks, then Change adapter settings:1a

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Page 2• Enable your network card: right-click on Local Area Connection and select Enable (if it’salready enabled, the option would be “Disable” and just leave it as is).• If there is a built in WIFI card, it should be disabled (right click and choose “Disable” if notalready so).• Right click on Local Area Connectionand select Properties:• If you do not need to share files or a printer onyour local network you should disable (un-tick)“Client...” and “File and...”for added security.• WinXP: double click on Internet Protocol:• Vista and Win7: double click onInternet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4):• Click OK twice. There should be 2 LEDs lit on the Nanostation (power + network cable).• Go to page 5.• Fill in as pictured here:We’re entering a static (fixed) IP addressThis will be your computer’s IP *This is always soThis is the IP of the NanoNano IP here too(The Nano will be actingas a DNS server)** Note: The last number can be any numberfrom 1 to 254 except 20 which is taken.

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Page 3Mac OS X 10.4• Click on the Apple icon then System Peferences:• Click on Network:• Select the Built-in Ethernet:• then click on Configure.(Option: create a new Location configurationnamed Nano to quickly return tothese settings in the future)• Fill in as pictured here:• Click on Apply.• There should now be 2 LEDs lit on the Nanostation (power + network cable).• Goto page 5.1b Mac OS XIf the AirPort is on, best to turn it off:(= default gateway)

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Page 4AC OS X 10.5 (Leopard)• Click on the Apple icon then System Peferences• Click on Network:• Select Ethernet:• Fill in like like this:• Click on Apply:• There should now be 2 LEDs lit on the Nanostation (power + network cable).NOTE for other Mac versions: if you have two TCP/IP settings, then choose IPv4.(Option: create aLocation configurationnamed Nano to quicklyreturn to these settingsin the future)GENERAL NOTES• AirOS firmware versions (firmware on a device is like the operating system on acomputer): the current version is AirOS 5.3.2 as pictured here in the screen shots. If youreceive a unit with a later firmware (or if you update it later), additional settings may bevisible.• Resetting device: Should you be unable to connect to the Nanostation after changingany settings (by mistake), it can be reset to it’s original default configuration (a hard reset)by pressing the reset button (little hole, inside cover) for 20-30 seconds, with the poweron. The LED light should flash after releasing button.• Directional antenna: The built in antenna points to the front of unit (LEDs are on back)with a horizontal beam width of about 60 degrees:

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Page 5Setting up the Nano• Open your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.) and type in address bar:http://192.168.1.20 (the default address of the Nano) then press the Enter key.• Type in ubnt twice and click Login →(If this window did not appear, there may bea problem with the wiring, the network cardor a firewall).• Select the Network tab and change Nano settings as follows:2• Click ChangeThe Nano will act as a router which makesWIFI cruising safer and much easier.(This refers to the WIFI side of the router)The Nano will automatically be assigned an IPaddress, gateway and DNS server by the WIFIaccess point you connect to later.Enter this just in case DHCP fails(This refers to the wired side of router = you)This will be the Nano’s new IP addressand NetmaskAllows the LAN to communicate with the WLANWill allow you to connect a computer which hasit’s network setting to “Obtain an IP address andDNS server automatically”.

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Page 6• You’ll notice that this now appears at the top of the window:• Click on the Advanced tab →Verify(Optional: adjust at which signalstrength the LEDs at the back ofthe Nano light up. This can also betweaked later.)Click Change(Do not click Apply yet)NOTES• Just like there are several ways to skin a cat, the network settings of the Nano and computer can be many. Thesettings here have been found most convenient while cruising because connecting to new WIFI access points indifferent places require a minimum of effort.• Since the default Nano IP address is in the very common range 192.168.1.x, and we cannot risk havingthe same range on our own local LAN as the WLAN ashore, we have changed the original Nano IP from192.168.1.20 to 192.168.10.20. We have also activated the Nano’s DHCP server which means that the computercan get network settings assigned automatically (an IP in the range 192.168.10.100 to 200, plus the Gatewayand DNS server = IP of the Nano). We still need to set the computer to acquire the IP automatically (see end ofnext page).The changes made on the previous page are memorized but not yetin effect. Only after clicking “Apply” with they take effect. Since westill need to make some other changes, we’ll “Apply” them all later.DO NOT APPLY YET!

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Page 7• Click on the Wireless tab →• Click Apply when it appears at the top:Now all the changes will come into effect.• Note: At this point communication with the Nano is lost because we still need to change thecomputers IP address to be in the same (new) range as the Nano (192.168.10.x). The settingcan be either fixed (manually to e.g. IP=192 168.10.21, Subnet mask=255.255.255.0, Gateway/Router/DNS=192 168.10.20), or automatic which is simpler and more flexible (as it allows you totake the computer to another wired network and automatically acquire the settings):Change Nano mode to Station(i.e. receiver or ‘client’)Make sure output power is on maxLeave rest as shown.Click Change• Windows: refer back to page 1 and 2 toopen Internet Protocol Properties:• Mac OS: refer to pages 3 and 4 and changeConfigure from Manually to DHCP, thenclick Apply.Change like this:Then click OK twice.YESFrom now on, all these settings will remainin place and you’ll only need to take step #3to connect to an new WIFI access point.What a relief!

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Page 8• In the browser address bar type http://192.168.10.20 (the new address of the Nano) then press theEnter key.• Click on the Link setup tab, then on Select (second line at right) to get:• Click on Change, wait; click Apply at top of new page, wait 10-15 seconds for device to reboot andfor connection (some access points take a while to connect). That’s it. There should be 3 or moreLEDs lit on the back of the Nano.This is thestrongest in the list.Any figure lowerthan about 90 isnormally usable.• To verify the connection, click on Main tab. This page has no settings, only information to confirm aconnection. (You may have to refresh the browser page to get current info).This numberwill increase withlong distanceconnections3 Connecting to a WIFI signalClicking once on“Signal” will sort thelist with the strongestat the topSelect a strong signal(without encryption)by clicking in the button.Then click “Select”A number here meansthat the Nanostationhas associated withthe WIFI acces pointClick on DHCP Client:The numbers here tell us that the WIFIaccess point has assigned all thenecessary numbers to the Nanofor connecting to the internet.Numbers will vary with access points.If blank, internet access will not work.Some access points can take up to 30sto assign numbers and sometimes youhave to click “Renew” for success.Received signalstrengthWireless connectionspeeds (transmit/receive). Most publicaccess points canreach 54Mbps(internet connectionspeed is usuallymuch lower).

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Page 10ADDENDUMPossible reasons for not getting online• Cannot associate with AP (access point)- AP fault or intentional restriction- Your signal not good enough/ distance too far (using a directional antenna helps)- Interference from many other WIFI users (using a directional antenna helps)- Look for another AP on a less busy channel (for example, in the USA only channels 1, 6,and 11 do not overlap/interfere with each other).• Associated with AP (access point) but not online- AP may be disconnected from internet- AP’s DHCP server may not work and this would be evident on the Nano Main tab. If youcan find or guess the settings, then these can be enterned manually on Nano tab Network,WLAN Network Settings: static. You’ll have to enter the IP (often 192.168.0.90 or 1.90,Netmask 225.225.255.0), the Default Gateway (often 192.168.0.1 or 1.1) and at least oneDNS Server (208.67.222.222 goes to OpenDNS and will always work). Then Save andApply.• If only some of your services work (e.g. Skype)- It could be that only the DNS server is wrong or missing. Manually enter (as above) theIP and Default Gateway that were assigned automatically, but change the DNS server to208.67.222.222.• Problems sending email with SMTP- Your usual SMTP server may not accept your outgoing email if you get online via a differentprovider and/or you are not autheticated. Your SMTP provider can usually tell you whattheir authenticated connecting settings should be. Alternatively try another SMTP provider,or use browser webmail instead of an email program (e.g. Outlook).• Directional antenna- For weak signals, aiming the antenna is required.- For strong signals the direction is often not critical,as signals tend to bounce and come frommultiple directions.• Typical passive POE for 12-24VDC- Do not exceed 24VDC!